We’ve all heard it said that good things come to those who wait. The impatient, perpetual 12-year-old inside me has never liked that saying. However, I believe it’s true.

After an 18-month search evaluating over 60 properties throughout Greenville and seemingly every surrounding nook and cranny, we found a home for our brewery. And it’s right in the heart of Greenville.

Fireforge Crafted Beer has signed a lease for a 4,600 square foot warehouse section of the former WN Watson Tire & Auto building at 311 E. Washington.

Homegrown in Greenville

Greenville has been experiencing tremendous growth over the past several years. In particular, the landscape downtown has changed tremendously. There are several new multi-family housing developments, the West End is exploding, and the old Greenville News building redevelopment is already in the works. There are several other new projects in the planning stages. It’s an exciting time.

The rapid growth and development has attracted a lot of attention from out-of-town developers that see opportunity in Greenville. And while it speaks highly of our community that businesses are coming here to open a second, third or Nth location in Greenville, the increase in property value and rent has squeezed out or provided a barrier to entry for many local businesses inside Greenville’s core.

That’s one reason we’re so invigorated about the building on Washington. The circumstances that allowed us to be there are uncommon. We have the opportunity to create a homegrown experience that’s unique to downtown Greenville.

More details will come over time; there is more to this building than Fireforge. With the help of Stone Property Management, the vision is to create a hub of community activity centered around beer, food, music, family and friends. Grown organically in the Upstate.

We’re eager to help grow Greenville’s reputation as a craft beer travel destination. Let’s build the ultimate craft beer sandwich…Greenville is the tasty filling in between the Asheville and Charleston beer markets.

It’s all part of the Master Plan.

The front gates of the future brewery. (Sketchy car not included.)

A Cozy Warehouse

Is that even a thing? What does that mean?

The Fireforge tasting room is going to be a warm, inviting and comfortable place to enjoy a beer or three. Whether you’re wearing a suit or shorts and flip flops, we want everyone to feel welcome.

One feature that attracted us to the property is the small parking lot in front of the two large garage doors. Our plan is to turn that into a beer garden and gathering space. You’ll be able to bring your kids, pets or spouse, and they can run around and play.

We will have a variety of music, private events, markets and ever-changing beers on tap to surprise and delight. We will not have televisions. We want to encourage community. Talk to each other.

Brewing on a 7-barrel system, we’ll be making beers inspired by culinary traditions, local and regional ingredients, fun memories and travels. Initially, most of our sales will be in-house, with a little bit of distribution to select craft beer bars and restaurants.

Beer was made to be enjoyed with food. Fireforge will have a small, yet mighty menu of specially-created sandwiches, meats, cheeses, crudites, and desserts to pair with the beer that we have on tap. There are also plans to put in a separately-owned restaurant in the front section of the building, so guests will have the option of getting a larger meal andbringing it over to Fireforge to enjoy with a house-made beer.

Now What?

The real fun begins! There’s still a long road ahead, filled with plans, licenses, permits, construction and who knows what else. But it’s tangible now, not just on paper. We can see what it’s going to look like in our minds.

Fueled by that vision, we’re going to push forward as diligently as we can. We plan on opening mid-summer 2017.

In the mean time, keep an eye on us. We have several collaborations in the works with our Greenville brewery friends. We may also have a surprise or two pop up around Greenville Craft Beer Week. You can follow our adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for everyone’s support and encouragement. We can’t wait to pour you a beer at the brewery!